ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Endocrine gland Hormone Target cell/organ Main effects

Posterior Pituitary Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Kidney Promote water reabsorption by renal
Gland tubules in kidney
 
Oxytocin  Uterus  Stimulate uterine
& mammary gland contraction during childbirth &
 Male release of milk from mammary
reproductive tract glands in females
 Cause sperm ejection
in males 

Anterior Pituitary Thyroid Stimulating Thyroid gland Stimulates thyroid gland to release
Gland Hormone (TSH) thyroxine
 
  Adrenocorticotropic Adrenal gland Stimulate adrenal cortex to release
  Hormone (ACTH) hormone
  Follicle Stimulating Gonads (ovaries &  Stimulate the
  Hormone (FSH) testes) development of follicles in ovaries
in females
 Stimulate
spermatogenesis (production of
sperm) in males

Luteinising Hormone (LH) Gonads (ovaries &  Stimulate ovulation,

testes) secretion of oestrogen &
progesterone in females
 Stimulate the
secretion of testosterone in males

Prolactin Hormone (PRL) Mammary glands Stimulate milk synthesis and secretion
from the mammary gland

Growth Hormone (GH) Soft tissues, bones Stimulates growth, protein synthesis
and fat metabolism

Thyroid gland Thyroxine (T4) & All tissue  Increase metabolic

  Triiodothyronine (T3) rate of most body cell
 Increase body
temperature
 Regulates growth and
development

Calcitonin Kidneys, small intestine Lower blood calcium level

& osteoblast in bones
**osteoblast stimulate deposit of
calcium in skeleton

Parathyroid gland Parathyroid hormone (PTH) Kidneys, small intestine Increase blood calcium level
& osteoclast in bones
**osteoclast stimulate release of
calcium from skeleton

Adrenal cortex Glucocorticoids (cortisol) Most cell  Promotes normal

  metabolism
 Helps body to deal
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

with stress
 Promotes repair of
damaged cells

Mineralocorticoids Kidneys Increase reabsorption of sodium and

(aldosterone) excretion of potassium in kidney

Adrenal medulla Epinephrine (adrenaline) & Cardiac & other muscle Prepares the body for flight-or0fight
Norepinephrine responses; reinforces the effects of
(noradrenaline) sympathetic nervous system
 Increase blood glucose level
and fatty acids in blood
 Increase heart activity & the
rate and depth of breathing
 Increase metabolic rate and
constrict some blood vessel

Pancreas Insulin (release by Alpha Liver, muscle & Decrease blood glucose level &
  cells) adipose tissue promote the conversion of glucose to
glycogen

Glucagon (release by Beta Liver, muscle & Increase blood glucose level &
cells) adipose tissue promote the conversion of glycogen to
glucose

Pineal gland Melatonin   Involve in regulation of sleep patterns

Thymus Thymosins T lymphocytes Stimulates development and

maturation of T lymphocytes

Ovaries Oestrogen Gonads, skin, muscle &  Stimulates the

  bone development of female secondary
sexual characteristics &
maturation of ova
 Promotes the repair of
uterine lining

Progesterone Gonads, uterus &  Stimulate the

mammary gland development of uterine lining
 Inhibits ovulation
 Regulates menstrual
cycle and pregnancy
 Prepares mammary
glands for milk secretion

Testes Androgen (testosterone) Gonads, skin, muscle &  Stimulate the

bone development of male secondary
sexual characteristics &
spermatogenesis
 Stimulate sperm
production & growth of skeleton